Let’s be frank: no one likes to admit they could do with a few more amigos. But sometimes – perhaps you’re extremely unlikeable (I jest!) – you may find your social calendar a little lacking. Maybe you’ve moved to a new postcode, city or country, or have suddenly realised all your friends are up to... Continue Reading →
I’m an Airbnb host and I’m falling out of love with Airbnb
COMMENT I’ve started to wonder whether Airbnb has become, well, too “mainstream”. Do people no longer respect the trust that underpins the whole deal? Is it OK to smoke in a no-smoking apartment, to leave rubbish all over the place? Domain, Fairfax Media. Full story here
The Australian couple restoring an 18th century French chateau
When Perth couple Karina and Craig Waters hired a car and headed on a scenic drive towards the Pyrenees, they weren’t seriously expecting to buy an 18th century, 96-room chateau. After all, what business would an Australian taxation accountant and a neurological surgeon have in pouring their blood, sweat and savings into a French historical... Continue Reading →
Grant Trebilco’s Fluro Friday movement: How surfing saved my life
If you spot Grant Trebilco out in the waves – ripping it up in a pair of bright yellow leggings, perhaps a floral shirt, and a face slathered in pink zinc – you'd assume the surfer is one of the most carefree blokes getting around. But paddle closer, and the 36-year-old may share some darker stories. Like... Continue Reading →
‘My biggest mistake’: Entrepreneurs reveal where they went wrong
By definition, entrepreneurs are rule-breakers who thrive on testing the limits. But with the potential for great success and acclaim comes the potential for their businesses to go right off the rails – at least temporarily. MySmallBusiness, The Age. Full story here
The rise of Airbnb’s sidekick start-ups
It’s no secret that Airbnb is booming, with 70,000 listings in Australia alone – double that of last year. But while its founders are laughing all the way to the bank, Airbnb’s success is also paying dividends for the many businesses that have sprung up around it. ShortPress. Full story here
On board Australia’s newest cruise ship
Without getting too salty, losing your 'virginity' (cruise virginity that is) is apparently quite the big deal. Indeed, it's clear there are two types of people on any cruise. Those who have, and those who have not sailed the high seas. Those who know the difference between a boat and a ship, for example. Or... Continue Reading →
Meet the world’s cutest animals
Can you fall head over heels at first sight if the object of your affections is considered lazy, dirty and only goes to the toilet once a week? The answer – clearly written across the charmed faces of our group at the Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica – is a most definite YES. "It's very easy to... Continue Reading →
Meet the Costa Rican miracle couple
It's a wild old day when I meet Australian Sarah Trinler and her Swiss-American husband Scotti in a small surfing town on the south Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The tropical rain is thundering down, and we're trading shouts to make ourselves heard. The town's main, dirt road is turning into a sloshy mud bath. Powerful... Continue Reading →
Recovering from wipeout to surf wave of success
Janine Hall’s first attempt at running her dream business turned into a bit of a nightmare. Realising her high-flying city life as a marketing executive was making her “lonely and sad and incredibly unhealthy,” Hall dusted off some old business plans and flew to Brazil’s north to launch a surfing and yoga retreat, dropping $60,000... Continue Reading →